Shire promises more work on GOR pedestrian crossing

THE wait for a pedestrian crossing on the Great Ocean Road in Jan Juc goes on, with the Surf Coast Shire stating it is not the shire’s responsibility to fund it.

Councillors received a report at their meeting on Tuesday this week of a joint letter presented in November calling for traffic control and road safety improvements at the Great Ocean Road’s intersection with the western end of Strathmore Drive.

Community members and parents of pupils at nearby schools have been campaigning for months to have some kind of crossing installed at or close to that intersection for the benefit of not only pupils at Christian College Geelong’s Surf Coast campus and the nearby Bellbrae Primary School, but also the wider community.

November’s letter stated: “There is currently no safe way to cross the Great Ocean Road near either school in any capacity. We fear that an accident or fatality is only a matter of time.”

In their report to councillors, shire officers stated they had been in regular communication with the Department of Transport and Planning about the status of a future crossing of the Great Ocean Road as part of the next stage of the Christian College development.

The shire has had projects under way to design and construct a pathway from Christian College to Bellbrae Recreation Reserve and to design a pathway from Duffields Road to Christian College, with funding for this second pathway to be sought in the 2024-25 budget.

“A planning permit for the next stage of Christian College is currently with the Planning Minister for approval,” officers stated.

“Council officers have provided a submission to the minister outlining the need for safety improvements including a road crossing at the Great Ocean Road near Christian College as part of the planning permit process.

“Funding for a safe pedestrian crossing across the Great Ocean Road is expected to be funded by the Christian College as part of planning permit requirements.”

Speaking at Tuesday’s meeting, Cr Rose Hodge acknowledged the safety issues at the intersection but said creating the crossing was complex, given the many bodies involved.

“They are small steps, I know, but the small steps we’re taking add up to a bigger picture.”

Cr Mike Bodsworth congratulated the community members for their continuing advocacy.